Thermal wall anchor

ABSTRACT

A wall anchor for use in a cavity wall to connect to a veneer tie to join an inner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavity wall includes an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a driven end portion and a driving end portion. The driven end portion is adapted to be threadedly mounted on the inner wythe of the cavity wall. The driving end portion includes a drive head including a receptor opening for capturing a portion of a veneer tie. The receptor opening extends transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body through the drive head. A thermal spacer is attached to the elongate bod. The thermal spacer has a conductivity less than a thermal conductivity of the elongate body and is configured and arranged to reduce thermal transfer in the cavity wall along the elongate body.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to anchoring systems forinsulated cavity walls, and more specifically, a thermal wall anchorthat creates a thermal break in a cavity wall.

BACKGROUND

Anchoring systems for cavity walls are used to secure veneer facings toa building and overcome seismic and other forces (e.g., wind shear,etc.). Anchoring systems generally form a conductive bridge or thermalpathway between the cavity and the interior of the building throughmetal-to-metal contact. Optimizing the thermal characteristics of cavitywall construction is important to ensure minimized heat transfer throughthe walls, both for comfort and for energy efficiency of heating and airconditioning. When the exterior is cold relative to the interior of aheated structure, heat from the interior should be prevented frompassing through to the outside. Similarly, when the exterior is hotrelative to the interior of an air conditioned structure, heat from theexterior should be prevented from passing through to the interior.

SUMMARY

In one aspect, a wall anchor for use in a cavity wall to connect to aveneer tie to join an inner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavity wallincludes an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a driven endportion and a driving end portion. The driven end portion is adapted tobe threadedly mounted on the inner wythe of the cavity wall. The drivingend portion includes a drive head including a receptor opening forcapturing a portion of a veneer tie. The receptor opening extendstransverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body through thedrive head. A thermal spacer is attached to the elongate body. Thethermal spacer has a conductivity less than a thermal conductivity ofthe elongate body and is configured and arranged to reduce thermaltransfer in the cavity wall along the elongate body.

In another aspect, a wall anchor for use in a cavity wall to connect toa veneer tie to join an inner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavitywall includes an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a driven endportion, a driving end portion, and at least one barrel portionpositioned between the driven end portion and the driving end portion.The driven end portion is adapted to be threadedly mounted on the innerwythe of the cavity wall and includes a threaded portion. The drivingend portion includes a drive head having a receptor opening forcapturing a portion of a veneer tie. The receptor opening extendstransverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongate body through thedrive head. The at least one barrel portion comprises a hollow bodyhaving a circumferential wall defining a hollow interior.

Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointedout hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective of an anchoring system as applied to a cavitywall with an inner wythe of an insulated dry wall construction and anouter wythe of brick;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged fragmentary schematic elevation, partially insection, illustrating the anchoring system in use;

FIG. 3 is a front view of a thermal wall anchor according to anembodiment of the present invention, the rear view being a mirror imagethereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view thereof, the bottom plan view being identicalthereto;

FIG. 5 is a front view of a thermal wall anchor according to a secondembodiment, the rear view being a mirror image thereof;

FIG. 6 is a top plan view thereof, the bottom plan view being identicalthereto;

FIG. 7 is a front view in partial section of a third embodiment of athermal wall anchor;

FIG. 8 is a top plan view in partial section of the thermal wall anchorof FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is a front view in partial section of a thermal wall anchoraccording to a fourth embodiment, the rear view being identical thereto;

FIG. 10 is a top plan view thereof, the bottom plan view being identicalthereto;

FIG. 11 is a partial section taken through line 11-11 of FIG. 10; and

FIG. 12 is a partial section taken through line 12-12 of FIG. 9.

Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding partsthroughout the drawings.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, an anchoring system for cavity walls isshown generally at 10. A cavity wall structure generally indicated at 12comprises an inner wythe or drywall backup 14 with sheetrock orwallboard 16 mounted on metal columns or studs 17 and an outer wythe orfacing wall 18 of brick 20 construction. Between the inner wythe 14 andthe outer wythe 18, a cavity 22 is formed. An air/vapor barrier 25 andinsulation 26 are attached to an exterior surface of the inner wythe 14and located in the cavity 22.

Successive bed joints 30 and 32 are substantially planar andhorizontally disposed and, in accordance with building standards, areapproximately 0.375 inches (9.525 mm) in height in a typical embodiment.Selective ones of bed joints 30 and 32, which are formed between coursesof bricks 20, are constructed to receive the insertion portion of aveneer tie 44. It is understood that the described and illustrated wallstructure 12 is exemplary only. Other structures may be used withoutdeparting from the scope of the present invention. A wall anchor 40 isthreadedly mounted on the inner wythe 14 and is supported by the innerwythe. As described in greater detail below, the wall anchor 40 isconfigured to provide a thermal break in the cavity wall structure 12.The anchoring system 10 is constructed and configured to minimize airand moisture penetration around the wall anchor system/inner wythejuncture and limit thermal transfer.

For purposes of the description, an exterior cavity surface 24 of theinner wythe 14 contains a horizontal line or x-axis 34 and anintersecting vertical line or y-axis 36. A horizontal line or z-axis 38,normal to the xy-plane, passes through the coordinate origin formed bythe intersecting x- and y-axes.

In the illustrated embodiment, the anchoring system 10 includes wallanchor 40, veneer tie 44, and an optional wire or outer wythereinforcement 46. At intervals along the exterior surface 24 of theinner wythe 14, wall anchors 40 are driven into place inanchor-receiving channels 48 (see FIG. 2). Anchor-receiving channels 48can be pre-drilled, or, alternatively, wall anchor 40 can be used todrill its own channel. The wall anchors 40 are positioned so that alongitudinal axis 50 of the wall anchor is normal to the xy-plane andtaps into stud 17. Veneer tie 44 is shown in FIG. 1 as being placed on acourse of bricks in preparation for being embedded in the mortar of bedjoint 30. The veneer tie 44 is formed of wire and includes an attachmentportion or U-shaped rear leg portion 42, as is known in the art. Thewire reinforcement 46 is also constructed of a wire, as is known in theart, and preferably conforms to the joint reinforcement requirements ofASTM Standard Specification A951-00, Table 1. Wall anchors and veneerties can be configured in other ways within the scope of the presentinvention.

In a first embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1-4, the wall anchor 40includes an elongate body that extends along a longitudinal axis 50 ofthe wall anchor from a driven end portion 52 to a driving end portion54. The driven end portion 52 includes a threaded portion 56 (e.g., aself-drilling screw portion). The threaded portion 56 can be configuredfor attachment to a metal stud, a wooden stud, a concrete backup wall,or alternative backup wall constructions. In use, the driven end portion52 is driven into an inner wythe (e.g., a stud of an inner wythe) of acavity wall, mounting the wall anchor 40 on the inner wythe.

The elongate body of the wall anchor 40 includes a non-threaded barrelextending between the driven end portion 52 and the driving end portion54. In the embodiment of FIGS. 3 and 4, the wall anchor 40 includes adual-diameter barrel having a smaller diameter barrel or first shaftportion 58 toward the driven end portion 52 and a larger diameter barrelor second shaft portion 60 toward the driving end portion 54. A drivehead 62 is located at the driving end portion 54 of the anchor 40. Theelongate body includes a flange 64 at the junction of the drive head 62and the larger diameter barrel portion 60. The drive head 62 defines areceptor or aperture 68 for receiving an attachment portion of a veneertie, such as the U-shaped rear leg portion 42 of the veneer tie 44. Asshown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the rear leg 42 of the veneer tie 44 is insertedinto the aperture 68 of the drive head 62, thereby securing the veneertie to the wall anchor 40.

The wall anchor 40 includes a thermal spacer 86 that is configured toprovide a thermal break in the wall anchor. The main components of thewall anchor 40 are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel) to provide ahigh-strength anchoring system. Alternatively, the wall anchor can bemade of plastic or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the maincomponents of the wall anchor are made of stainless steel. Through theuse of a thermal spacer 86, the thermal transmission values of the wallanchor are lowered. The thermal spacer 86 is preferably a non-conductivematerial. For example, the thermal spacer 86 can be ceramic, plastic,epoxy, carbon fiber, a non-conductive metal, or other non-conductivematerial.

As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the larger diameter barrel portion 60 includesfirst and second thermally-conductive portions 70, 72 separated by thenon-conductive thermal spacer 86. The thermal spacer 86 is attached toboth the first and second thermally-conductive portions 70, 72 (e.g.,glued). The thermal spacer 86 is configured to provide a thermal breakbetween the first and second thermally-conductive portions 70, 72. Thus,when the wall anchor 40 is attached to an inner wythe as part of theanchoring system 10, the thermal spacer interrupts the thermal pathwaythrough the cavity wall. In other words, the transmission of heatbetween the outer wythe (via a veneer tie attached to the outer wytheand attached to the wall anchor 40) and the inner wythe (via the wallanchor attached to the inner wythe) of a cavity wall is reduced. Thethermal spacer 86 preferably has a thickness selected to provide athermal break between thermally-conductive portions 70, 72 attached tothe thermal spacer. For example, in one embodiment, the thermal spacer86 has a thickness t of about 0.250 inches (6.35 mm).

The thermal spacer 86 of the wall anchor 40 causes the cavity wall 12 toobtain a lower transmission value (U-value), thereby providing ananchoring system with the benefits of thermal isolation. The termU-value is used to describe the transmission of heat through the entirecavity wall (including the anchor, the insulation, and othercomponents), i.e., the measure of the rate of transfer of heat throughone square meter of a structure divided by the difference in temperatureacross the structure. The lower the U-value, the better the thermalintegrity of the cavity wall, and the higher the U-value, the worse thethermal performance of the building envelope. The U-value is calculatedfrom the reciprocal of the combined thermal resistances of the materialsin the cavity wall, taking into account the effect of thermal bridges,air gaps and fixings. Several factors affect the U-value, such as thesize of the cavity, the thickness of the insulation, the materials used,etc. In one exemplary test, a cavity wall structure was modeled tomeasure the U-value in an anchoring system 10 as described, with athermal spacer 86 in the wall anchor 40. The wall included, from theexterior face to the interior face, an outer wythe comprising standard3-⅝ inch thick brick veneer, a 1.5 inch slightly ventilated air cavity,4 inches of mineral wool exterior insulation, ⅝ inch exterior sheathing,a 3-⅝ inch steel stud, and ½ inch gypsum board. In the model, veneerties are embedded into the brick mortar and wall anchors penetratedthrough the insulation and into the steel stud. The effective assemblyU-value was 0.053 BTU/(hr·ft²·° F.) (0.302 W/m²K), for a thermalefficiency of 89.0%. In another model, an anchoring system included adual diameter barrel wall anchor without a thermal spacer, and theeffective assembly U-value was 0.058 BTU/(hr·ft²·° F.) (0.332 W/m²K),for a thermal efficiency of 81.0%. Although only an illustrative model,the test results indicate that the U-value of the cavity wall structureis reduced through use of a wall anchor including a thermal spacer.

A second embodiment of a wall anchor with thermal spacer is illustratedin FIGS. 5 and 6. Wall anchor 140 is substantially similar to wallanchor 40 described above, with differences as pointed out herein. Partsof the wall anchor 140 corresponding to those of the anchor 40 are giventhe same reference numeral, plus “100.”

Wall anchor 140 includes an elongate body that extends along thelongitudinal axis 150 of the anchor from a driven end portion 152 to adriving end portion 154. The driven end portion 152 includes a threadedportion 156 configured for attachment to an inner wythe (e.g., a metalstud). Wall anchor 140 is used as described above with reference to wallanchor 40. Wall anchor 140 includes a dual-diameter barrel having asmaller diameter barrel or first shaft portion 158 and a larger diameterbarrel or second shaft portion 160. A drive head 162 is located at thedriving end portion 154 of the anchor 140. The elongate body includes aflange 164 at the junction of the drive head 162 and the barrel 160. Thedrive head 162 defines a receptor or aperture 168 for receiving aportion of a veneer tie, as described above.

The wall anchor 140 includes a thermal spacer 186 that is configured toprovide a thermal break in the wall anchor. The main components of thewall anchor are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel) to provide ahigh-strength anchoring system. Alternatively, the wall anchor can bemade of plastic or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the maincomponents of the wall anchor are made of stainless steel. Through theuse of a thermal spacer 186, the thermal transmission values of the wallanchor are lowered. The thermal spacer 186 is preferably anon-conductive material. For example, the thermal spacer 186 can beceramic, plastic, epoxy, carbon fiber, a non-conductive metal, or othernon-conductive material.

As seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the larger diameter barrel portion 160includes first and second thermally-conductive portions 170, 172separated by the non-conductive thermal spacer 186. The thermal spacer186 is attached to both the first and second thermally-conductiveportions 170, 172. As illustrated, the thermal spacer 186 is attached toeach of the first and second thermally-conductive portions by threadedengagement. The first thermally-conductive portion 170 includes athreaded stud 190. The second thermally-conductive portion 172 includesa threaded stud 192. The threaded studs 190, 192 can be made ofstainless steel, plastic, fiberglass, epoxy or any other suitablematerial. The thermal spacer 186 includes a threaded opening 194configured to receive the studs 190, 192. As illustrated in FIGS. 5 and6, when both of the threaded studs 190, 192 are received in the threadedopening 194, the studs are spaced from each other and do not makecontact. Thus, when the wall anchor 140 is attached to an inner wythe aspart of an anchoring system, the thermal spacer 186 interrupts thethermal pathway through the cavity wall. In other words, thetransmission of heat between the outer wythe (via a veneer tie attachedto the outer wythe and attached to the wall anchor 140) and the innerwythe (via the wall anchor attached to the inner wythe) of a cavity wallis reduced. The thermal spacer 186 preferably has a thickness selectedto provide a thermal break between thermally-conductive portions 170,172 attached to the thermal spacer. For example, in one embodiment, thethermal spacer 186 has a thickness t of about 0.250 inches (6.35 mm).Other configurations are within the scope of the present invention. Forexample, the studs 190, 192 can be separate from both the largerdiameter barrel portion 160 and the thermal spacer 186, which can eachinclude a threaded opening to receive the studs. Alternatively, thestuds 190, 192 can be formed as a part of the thermal spacer 186 and thefirst and second thermally-conductive portions 170, 172 can includethreaded openings configured to receive the studs. In one embodiment, asingle stud made of stainless steel, plastic, or other suitable materialextends through the thermal spacer to attach the first and secondthermally-conductive portions 170, 172 to each other. Alternatively, oneor two hollow threaded rods made of stainless steel, plastic, or othersuitable material can connect the thermal spacer 186 and thethermally-conductive portions 170, 172.

A third embodiment of a wall anchor with thermal spacer is illustratedin FIGS. 7 and 8. Wall anchor 240 is substantially similar to wallanchors 40, 140 described above, with differences as pointed out herein.Parts of the wall anchor 240 corresponding to parts of the anchor 40 aregiven the same reference numeral, plus “200.”

Wall anchor 240 includes an elongate body that extends along thelongitudinal axis 250 of the anchor from a driven end portion 252 to adriving end portion 254. The driven end portion 252 includes a threadedportion 256 configured for attachment to an inner wythe (e.g., a metalstud). Wall anchor 240 is used as described above with reference to wallanchor 40. Wall anchor 240 includes a single diameter barrel 260. Thebarrel 260 comprises a hollow body having a circumferential wall 259defining an open interior 261. A drive head 262 is located at thedriving end portion 254 of the anchor 240. The elongate body includes aflange 264 at the junction of the drive head 262 and the barrel 260. Thedrive head 262 defines a receptor or aperture 268 for receiving aportion of a veneer tie, as described above. The elongate body includesan axial end surface 263 at a free end of the barrel 260 opposite thedrive head 262.

The wall anchor 240 includes a thermal spacer 286 that is configured toprovide a thermal break in the wall anchor. The main components of thewall anchor 240 are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel) to provide ahigh-strength anchoring system. Alternatively, the wall anchor can bemade of plastic or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the maincomponents of the wall anchor are made of stainless steel. Through theuse of a thermal spacer 286, the thermal transmission values of the wallanchor are lowered. The thermal spacer 286 is preferably anon-conductive material. For example, the thermal spacer 286 can beceramic, plastic, epoxy, carbon fiber, a non-conductive metal, or othernon-conductive material.

As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8, the thermal spacer 286 is positioned adjacentthe axial end surface 263 of the barrel 260. The thermal spacer 286 isattached to the threaded portion 256 of the wall anchor 240. Forexample, the thermal spacer 286 is threadedly mounted on the threadedportion 256. As illustrated, the threaded portion 256 includes a barrelattachment portion 290 and an inner wythe attachment portion 292. Thethermal spacer 286 includes a threaded opening 294 configured to receivethe barrel attachment portion 290 and the inner wythe attachment portion292. One end of the barrel attachment stud 290 is attached to the barrel260. Specifically, the barrel attachment stud 290 is threadedly attachedto the barrel 260, such as by threaded engagement with a nut 291positioned at the free end of the elongate body of the wall anchor 240.The other end of the barrel attachment portion 290 is threadedlyattached to the thermal spacer 286. As illustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8,when both the barrel attachment portion 290 and the inner wytheattachment portion 292 are received in the threaded opening 294 of thethermal spacer 286, the portions 290, 292 are spaced from each other anddo not make contact. Other attachment configurations are within thescope of the present invention. For example, the threaded portion 256can be a single threaded screw that is attached to both the barrel 260and the thermal spacer 286. The threaded portion 256 can be made ofstainless steel, plastic, fiberglass, or other suitable material. In oneembodiment, the threaded portion 256 is hollow.

The thermal spacer 286 is configured to provide a thermal break betweenthe barrel 260 and an inner wythe to which the barrel is attached. Thus,when the wall anchor 240 is attached to an inner wythe as part of ananchoring system, the thermal spacer 286 interrupts the thermal pathwaythrough the cavity wall. In other words, the transmission of heatbetween the outer wythe (via a veneer tie attached to the outer wytheand attached to the wall anchor 240) and the inner wythe (via the wallanchor attached to the inner wythe) of a cavity wall is reduced. Thethermal spacer 286 preferably has a thickness selected to provide athermal break between the wall anchor 240 and an inner wythe. Forexample, in one embodiment, the thermal spacer 286 has a thickness t ofabout 0.688 inches (17.475 mm).

A fourth embodiment of a wall anchor with thermal spacer is illustratedin FIGS. 9-12. Wall anchor 340 is substantially similar to wall anchors40, 140, 240 (and particularly to anchor 240) described above, withdifferences as pointed out herein. Parts of the anchor corresponding toparts of the anchor 240 are given the same reference numeral, plus“100.”

Wall anchor 340 includes an elongate body that extends along thelongitudinal axis 350 of the anchor from a driven end portion 352 to adriving end portion 354. The driven end portion 352 includes a threadedportion 356 configured for attachment to an inner wythe (e.g., a metalstud). Wall anchor 340 is used as described above with reference to wallanchor 40. Wall anchor 340 includes a single diameter barrel 360. Thebarrel 360 comprises a hollow body having a circumferential wall 359defining an open interior 361. A drive head 362 is located at thedriving end portion 354 of the anchor 340. The elongate body includes aflange 364 at the junction of the drive head 362 and the barrel 360. Thedrive head 362 defines a receptor or aperture 368 for receiving aportion of a veneer tie, as described above. The elongate body includesan axial end surface 363 at a free end of the barrel 360 opposite thedrive head 362.

The wall anchor 340 includes a thermal spacer 386 that is configured toprovide a thermal break in the wall anchor. The main components of thewall anchor 340 are preferably made of metal (e.g., steel) to provide ahigh-strength anchoring system. Alternatively, the wall anchor can bemade of plastic or other suitable material. In one embodiment, the maincomponents of the wall anchor are made of stainless steel. Through theuse of a thermal spacer 386, the thermal transmission values of the wallanchor are lowered. The thermal spacer 386 is preferably anon-conductive material. For example, the thermal spacer 386 can beceramic, plastic, epoxy, carbon fiber, a non-conductive metal, or othernon-conductive material.

As seen in FIGS. 9-12, the thermal spacer 386 is positioned adjacent theaxial end surface 363 of the barrel 360. The thermal spacer 386 isattached to the threaded portion 356 of the wall anchor 340. Forexample, the thermal spacer 386 is threadedly mounted on the threadedportion 356. As illustrated, the threaded portion 356 includes a barrelattachment portion or stud 390 and an inner wythe attachment portion392. The thermal spacer 386 includes a threaded opening 394 configuredto receive the barrel attachment portion 390 and the inner wytheattachment portion 392. One end of the barrel attachment stud 390 isattached to the barrel 360. Specifically, the barrel attachment stud 390is threadedly attached to the barrel 360, such as by threaded engagementwith a nut 391 positioned at the free end of the elongate body of thewall anchor 340. The other end of the barrel attachment stud 390 isthreadedly attached to the thermal spacer 386. As illustrated in FIGS.9-12, when both the barrel attachment stud 390 and the inner wytheattachment portion 392 are received in the threaded opening 394 of thethermal spacer 386, the portions 390, 392 are spaced from each other anddo not make contact. Other attachment configurations are within thescope of the present invention. For example, the threaded portion 356can be a single threaded screw that is attached to both the barrel 360and the thermal spacer 386. The threaded portion 356 can be made ofstainless steel, plastic, fiberglass, or other suitable material. In oneembodiment, the threaded portion 356 is hollow.

The thermal spacer 386 is configured to provide a thermal break betweenthe barrel 360 and an inner wythe to which the barrel is attached. Thus,when the wall anchor 340 is attached to an inner wythe as part of ananchoring system, the thermal spacer 386 interrupts the thermal pathwaythrough the cavity wall. In other words, the transmission of heatbetween the outer wythe (via a veneer tie attached to the outer wytheand attached to the wall anchor 340) and the inner wythe (via the wallanchor attached to the inner wythe) of a cavity wall is reduced. Thethermal spacer 386 preferably has a thickness selected to provide athermal break between the wall anchor 340 and an inner wythe. Forexample, in one embodiment, the thermal spacer 386 has a thickness t ofabout 0.688 inches (17.475 mm).

At least one opening 396 extends through the wall 359 of the barrel 360.As illustrated in FIGS. 9 and 10, a plurality of openings 396 extendthrough the wall 359. The openings 396 reduce the mass of the wallanchor 340. The reduction in mass in the wall anchor 340 correspondinglyreduces the amount of thermal transfer between the wall anchor and aveneer tie attached to the wall anchor. In one embodiment, the totalsurface area of the wall 359 of the barrel 360 is reduced by an amountin a range of about 5% to about 95% by the openings 396 as compared towhat the total surface area of the wall would be if the hollow body didnot include any openings. In one embodiment, the total surface area ofthe wall 359 is reduced by an amount in a range of about 5% to about75%, such as by 5%, by 10%, by 20%, by 25%, by 30%, by 35%, or by anyother suitable amount. As illustrated, the wall anchor 340 includesopenings 396 spaced along the length of the barrel 360. The openings 396are uniformly spaced along the length of the barrel 360. The openings396 are uniformly spaced around a circumference of the barrel 360. Eachopening 396 extends through the circumferential wall 359 to the hollowinterior 361. Each opening 396 aligns with a corresponding diametricallyopposed opening 396. Each opening 396 is generally circular and isgenerally the same size. Other opening configurations and arrangementsare within the scope of the present invention. For example, the openings396 may not be uniformly sized or arranged to be uniformly spaced alongthe length and/or around the circumference of the barrel 360. The anchor340 can include more openings 396 than illustrated, or fewer openingsthan illustrated. The openings 396 can have other shapes orconfigurations, or may have varying shapes, sizes, spacing, andconfigurations.

The anchors as described above serve to thermally isolate the componentsof the anchoring system, thereby reducing the thermal transmission andconductivity values of the anchoring system as a whole. The anchorsprovide an insulating effect and an in-cavity thermal break, severingthe thermal pathways created from metal-to-metal contact of anchoringsystem components. The present invention maintains the strength of themetal and further provides the benefits of a thermal break in thecavity.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferredembodiment(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” areintended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms“comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive andmean that there may be additional elements other than the listedelements.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of theinvention are achieved and other advantageous results attained.

As various changes could be made in the above products without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all mattercontained in the above description and shown in the accompanyingdrawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limitingsense.

1. A wall anchor for use in a cavity wall to connect to a veneer tie tojoin an inner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavity wall, the wallanchor comprising: an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a drivenend portion and a driving end portion, the driven end portion beingadapted to be threadedly mounted on the inner wythe of the cavity wall,the driving end portion including a thermally-conductive drive headincluding a receptor opening for capturing a portion of a veneer tie,the receptor opening extending transverse to the longitudinal axis ofthe elongate body through the thermally-conductive drive head; and athermal spacer attached to the elongate body, the thermal spacer havinga conductivity less than a thermal conductivity of the elongate body andbeing configured and arranged to reduce thermal transfer in the cavitywall along the elongate body.
 2. The wall anchor of claim 1, wherein thethermal spacer is a material selected from the group consisting ofceramic, plastic, epoxy and carbon fiber.
 3. The wall anchor of claim 1,wherein the elongate body comprises first and secondthermally-conductive portions, the thermal spacer being positionedbetween the first and second thermally-conductive portions to create athermal break between the first and second thermally-conductiveportions.
 4. The wall anchor of claim 3, wherein the thermal spacer isthreadedly attached to the first and second thermally-conductiveportions.
 5. The wall anchor of claim 4, further comprising a threadedstud interconnecting the thermal spacer with at least one of the firstand second thermally conductive portions of the elongate body.
 6. Thewall anchor of claim 5, wherein the threaded stud is a material selectedfrom the group consisting of stainless steel, plastic, epoxy andfiberglass.
 7. The wall anchor of claim 5, wherein the threaded stud isa first threaded stud interconnecting the thermal spacer and the firstthermally-conductive portion of the elongate body, the wall anchorfurther comprising a second threaded stud interconnecting the thermalspacer and the second thermally-conductive portion of the elongate body.8. The wall anchor of claim 1, wherein the elongate body comprises athreaded portion at the driven end portion and at least one barrelportion adjacent the threaded portion.
 9. The wall anchor of claim 8,wherein the thermal spacer is attached to the threaded portion andengages a free end of the at least one barrel portion.
 10. The wallanchor of claim 9, wherein the thermal spacer is threadedly attached tothe threaded portion.
 11. The wall anchor of claim 8, wherein the atleast one barrel portion comprises a hollow body having acircumferential wall defining a hollow interior.
 12. The wall anchor ofclaim 11, wherein the at least one barrel portion comprises at least oneopening extending through the circumferential wall to the hollowinterior.
 13. The wall anchor of claim 12, wherein the at least onebarrel portion comprises a plurality of openings extending through thecircumferential wall to the hollow interior.
 14. The wall anchor ofclaim 13, wherein the plurality of openings reduces the material of thehollow body by an amount in a range of about 5% to about 35%.
 15. A wallanchor for use in a cavity wall to connect to a veneer tie to join aninner wythe and an outer wythe of the cavity wall, the wall anchorcomprising an elongate body having a longitudinal axis, a driven endportion, a driving end portion, and at least one barrel portionpositioned between the driven end portion and the driving end portion,the driven end portion being adapted to be threadedly mounted on theinner wythe of the cavity wall and including a threaded portion, thedriving end portion including a thermally-conductive drive head having areceptor opening for capturing a portion of a veneer tie, the receptoropening extending transverse to the longitudinal axis of the elongatebody through the thermally-conductive drive head, the at least onebarrel portion comprising a hollow body having a circumferential walldefining a hollow interior.
 16. The wall anchor of claim 15, wherein theat least one barrel portion comprises at least one opening extendingthrough the circumferential wall to the hollow interior.
 17. The wallanchor of claim 16, wherein the at least one barrel portion comprises aplurality of openings extending through the circumferential wall to thehollow interior.
 18. The wall anchor of claim 17, wherein the pluralityof openings reduces the material of the hollow body by an amount in arange of about 5% to about 35%.
 19. The wall anchor of claim 18, furthercomprising a thermal spacer engaging a free end of the hollow body. 20.The wall anchor of claim 19, wherein the thermal spacer is attached tothe threaded portion.
 21. The wall anchor of claim 1 wherein the bodycomprises a barrel portion including first and secondthermally-conductive portions, a glue of a material different than thethermal spacer and the barrel portion, the glue connecting the thermalspacer to the first and second thermally-conductive portions, thethermal spacer separating the thermally conductive portions to provide athermal break in the barrel portion.
 22. The wall anchor of claim 1,wherein the elongate body comprises a thermally-conductive portion, thedrive head being formed as one piece of material with thethermally-conductive portion.